Noel Gallagher also appeared on video to say: "He can't be imitated as a guitarist because he came up with something that was totally unique. He can play those riffs like it's the most natural thing in the world. It is natural to him and that's what separates great people from the rest; Neil Young has got it, Bob Dylan's got it, Keith Richards has got it, Jimmy Page and Paul Weller have got it and Johnny Marr has got it. He doesn't even grimace when he plays guitar, he looks like he's riding a fucking bike."

Picking up the award from NME Editor Mike Williams and Wood, Marr told the applauding crowd that his advice for new bands was to "just keep going, never give up because this is the best job in the world". Marr was then joined by Ronnie Wood and The Vaccines' Justin Young on a six-song set. Young sang on a cover of 'I Fought The Law', a Sonny Curtis song famously covered by The Clash, before Wood helped out on 'How Soon Is Now?'. The set concluded with another Smiths classic, 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out'.